CIARON Brown has been left out of Northern Ireland’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers this month.

The Oxford United defender twisted his ankle in a 4-2 loss away to Slovenia last month, forcing him to withdraw from the group ahead of a trip to Kazakhstan.

Announcing the new squad this afternoon, an Irish Football Association statement confirmed Brown had not been picked by boss Michael O’Neill.

The statement read: “Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery, who had to pull out of the squad in September, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown, who got injured in the away game against Slovenia last month, and Portsmouth winger Gavin Whyte, who was also not available last month, have just returned to action with their respective clubs after being sidelined through injury and are not included this time.”

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Northern Ireland welcome San Marino and Slovenia to Windsor Park on October 14 and 17 respectively.

O’Neill’s side are second from bottom in their qualifying group, with their chances of making it to Euro 2024 all but over.

Slovenia and Denmark lead Group H with 13 points, while Finland and Kazakhstan have 12. Northern Ireland have collected just three points from their opening six games. The top two sides in each group qualify for next summer’s tournament.

United confirmed on Saturday that the trip to Reading in Sky Bet League One, on October 14, has been postponed after the Royals saw a number of players called up for international duty.